Best Lip Exfoliators for Smooth Lips

Want soft, smooth lips fast? Start with the right lip exfoliators. A good lip scrub removes dead skin and helps your balm and hydration products absorb better, so your lips look healthy and feel nourished. With dozens of scrubs on the market — from sugar lip scrubs to oil-based polishes — choosing the best product can be overwhelming. We reviewed expert picks and shopper feedback to highlight the most effective options and explain which scrub is right for your routine.

We based our selections on testing and recommendations from trusted beauty outlets (Byrdie, InStyle, PEOPLE) and on product ingredients and real-world performance. In short: we looked for scrubs that gently exfoliate away dead skin, restore moisture with oils and humectants, and leave lips ready for color or overnight treatment.

Key takeaways

• Use a gentle lip scrub 1–2 times a week to sweep away dead skin without causing irritation.
• Look for scrubs with sugar or micro-exfoliants plus nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba, or honey to add moisture.
• If your lips are very dry or cracked, focus on hydrating balms after exfoliating — avoid aggressive scrubbing until skin heals.
• We prioritized products tested by beauty experts and teams at Byrdie, InStyle, and PEOPLE, plus user-tested picks for budget and splurge options.
• Skip ahead to product picks or read on for how to exfoliate lips safely and DIY recipes you can make with pantry sugar and oil.

Best Overall Lip Exfoliator

Byrdie named the French Girl Rose Lip Polish Lip Scrub our top pick for overall performance. In their tests the product scored highly for texture, exfoliation, and post-use hydration. The formula uses organic sugar as the exfoliant and a blend of nourishing oils — shea butter, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and castor oil — to replenish moisture and smooth away dry skin and flakes.

Quick verdict: gentle sugar scrub that exfoliates effectively and leaves lips soft and ready for balm or color. Best for normal to dry lips and anyone who wants a hydrating, natural-ingredient option.

• Pros: Natural sugar exfoliant, rich oils for moisture (coconut, sunflower, castor), pleasant texture, good for removing dead skin cells.
• Cons: Higher price than drugstore scrubs; if you have very sensitive lips, test a small area first because sugar granules are physical exfoliants.
• Testing criteria: feel, exfoliation (how well it removes flakes), and hydration after use — the aspects Byrdie highlighted when rating this product.

How to use: scoop a pea-size amount, gently rub over damp lips for 30–60 seconds, wipe or rinse, then apply a hydrating lip balm to lock in moisture. Use 1–2 times per week depending on how dry your lips are.

The French Girl Rose Lip Polish Lip Scrub is sold at Macy’s for $22 (verify current price before purchase). For shoppers: look for product listings that show the full ingredients to confirm there are no personal allergens like fragrances or added botanicals.

Best Budget Lip Exfoliator

If you want an effective sugar lip scrub that won’t dent your beauty budget, the Chapstick Total Hydration Conditioning Lip Scrub is a solid choice. It combines sugar exfoliants with hydrating ingredients — shea butter, coconut oil, and maracuja oil — to sweep away dry skin and soften lips without over-stripping moisture.

Best for: daily maintenance and budget-conscious shoppers; also a gentle option for mildly dry lips.

• What it contains: sugar exfoliants plus moisturizing oils (coconut oil, maracuja) and shea butter to help replenish moisture.
• Why it works: sugar gently buff away dead skin cells while the oils add hydration so lips aren’t left feeling tight.
• Limitations: not as rich as high-end balms for extremely chapped or cracked lips — follow with a thick balm after exfoliating.

Quick how-to: scoop a small amount, massage gently over damp lips for 30–45 seconds, then wipe off and follow immediately with a hydrating lip balm to lock in moisture.

Below is a quick comparison of the Chapstick scrub’s key features for easy scanning:

The Chapstick scrub is widely available (including on Amazon) and is a simple way to introduce regular exfoliation into your lip care routine without spending much. If you have chronic dryness or cracked lips, consider a richer scrub or follow with an occlusive balm to lock in hydration.

Best Splurge Lip Exfoliator

If you want a truly luxurious lip exfoliator and don’t mind paying for it, La Mer The Lip Polish offers a high-end experience. The jar includes a small scoop for sanitary application and a texture that pairs physical exfoliation with a deeply hydrating base so lips feel renewed after use.

• Who it’s for: people who want an indulgent treatment, those with dry or flaky lips who need extra hydration, and anyone who prefers a luxe ritual in their lip care routine.
• Texture note: the exfoliating crystals are noticeable — they deliver results but may feel slightly rough to very sensitive lips, so proceed gently.
• Application tip: use the included scoop to take a small amount, massage lightly for 20–45 seconds, then remove and follow with a rich lip balm or overnight occlusive to lock in moisture.

Pros: hygienic scoop, rich moisturizing base, long-lasting hydration and noticeably smoother lips. Cons: premium price point and physical exfoliants may not suit very sensitive skin.

La Mer The Lip Polish is typically sold at Sephora (current price listed around $80 — check retailer for updates). If the price gives you pause, comparable splurge alternatives include premium sugar lip scrubs that add jojoba or vitamin-rich oils for similar hydration at slightly lower cost.

If you splurge, pair this exfoliating lip scrub with a high-quality lip balm or overnight mask to maximize hydration and protect against dryness. For sensitive skin, consider a gentler sugar lip scrub or a product with finer exfoliants to avoid irritation.

Conclusion

Healthy lips are a two-step process: gently exfoliate to remove dry, flaky skin, then lock in hydration. Incorporating lip exfoliators into your routine once or twice a week keeps lips smooth and helps balms penetrate for better long-term moisture.

Top picks to consider: the French Girl Rose Lip Polish Lip Scrub for an organic, hydrating sugar scrub; the Chapstick Total Hydration Conditioning Lip Scrub as an affordable sugar lip scrub that removes dead skin and adds moisture; and La Mer The Lip Polish if you prefer a splurge option with a luxurious feel and long-lasting hydration.

Shopping tip: check ingredients for sugar (gentle physical exfoliant) and nourishing oils like coconut oil, jojoba, or shea butter. If you have very sensitive or cracked lips, choose a scrub with finer exfoliants or try a DIY sugar + coconut oil recipe and follow with a thick lip balm to prevent dryness.

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If you’re looking to splurge on a high-end lip exfoliator, the La Mer The Lip Polish delivers luxurious results, leaving your lips noticeably smoother and deeply moisturized. Other notable options include Burt’s Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub and Handmade Heroes All Natural Vegan Coconut Lip Scrub.

Whether you’re a beginner or a beauty enthusiast, there is a lip exfoliator suitable for everyone’s needs. By incorporating a lip scrub into your routine, you can enjoy the benefits of effective exfoliation, intense hydration, and affordable prices, ultimately achieving irresistibly smooth and soft lips.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why should I use a lip exfoliator?

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Quick 2-minute routine

1. Exfoliate: apply a pea-size amount of scrub; gently rub for 30–45 seconds to remove dead skin cells.
2. Wipe and hydrate: remove scrub with a damp cloth and apply a nourishing lip balm or oil (coconut oil or a balm with beeswax/jojoba).
3. Protect: use a balm during the day and a heavier occlusive at night for long-lasting moisture.